The DFA Team

Daniel Frisch, RA, AIA, Principal, Architect

Daniel Frisch began his architectural studies in 1982 at the Harvard University Career Discovery Program in Architecture. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia School of Architecture (’87), and a Masters in Architecture from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation (’91).

In 1991, Mr. Frisch teamed with graduate school friend Edward Cabot and Amy Lesser to found an architecture and interior design firm in Midtown Manhattan. The company moved one block west in 1994 to its current offices at 127 West 56th Street. Mr. Cabot left the firm shortly thereafter, and when Ms. Lesser retired in 1997, Daniel Frisch Architect, PC was incorporated.

Mr. Frisch and his colleagues have designed and executed hundreds of individual projects. We thank our many clients, contractors, consultants, and all the dedicated staff who have pulled together to make each venture a success.

Kate Jiranek, RA, AIA, Architect

Kate Jiranek began her career in architecture at DFA as an intern during the summer of 2012. After finishing her Masters of Architecture at University of Oregon in 2013, she returned to New York to join DFA full time and received her architecture license in 2016. Prior to attending the University of Oregon, Kate graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelors of Engineering studying Civil Engineering. While at DFA, Kate has worked on a variety of projects, and enjoys the unique challenges that each client brings. Kate was born and raised in Seattle and loves to visit as often as she can.

Devon Mott, Architectural Associate

Devon Mott joined the DFA team in 2014 after graduating from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Architecture and a minor in Business Law. Prior to DFA, Devon spent three summers as an architectural intern at VOA Associates Inc. in Washington D.C., and a summer as an intern at Michael Winstanley Architects & Planners in Arlington, VA. Having worked on both apartment renovations in Manhattan, and several house projects in Connecticut, Devon enjoys every aspect of each residential project, down to the most finite of details. Raised in Washington, D.C., Devon is an avid Washington Nationals fan as well as loyal supporter of the USC Football team.

Allen Chung, Architectural Associate

Allen Chung moved to New York City from Portland, Oregon. He studied architecture at the University of Oregon and proceeded to work on residential projects. Passionate about creating homes, Daniel Frisch Architecture was a natural fit. Having joined the team in 2016, Allen enjoys the dynamic and collaborative nature of DFA while he continues to explore the field of residential design. In his free time, Allen likes to cook, travel, and explore all that New York City has to offer.

Ethan Feldman, Architectural Associate

Ethan Feldman “externed” at DFA in January 2017 and, after graduating from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, joined DFA full time in the summer of 2017. Ethan has always been interested in the intriguing challenges and design possibilities of residential architecture and is excited to learn more as a part of the DFA team. Raised just outside of Boston, Ethan is a huge Red Sox fan, but he nevertheless enjoys exploring and living in New York City.

Ceylan Tomruk, Architectural Associate

Ceylan Tomruk is the newest member of the DFA Team. Ceylan grew up in the city of Istanbul and came to the United States in 2011 to study Architecture. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a minor in Architectural History from the University of Virginia in 2015. Before joining DFA, she gained experience working on large scale projects for architecture firms in both New York and Istanbul, and now greatly enjoys exploring the depth of possibilities in residential design. Ceylan also likes discovering unique restaurants throughout NYC and engaging in different cultural activities of the city.

Kent Shell, Director of Approvals and Construction Administration

Kent Shell joined DFA after a thirty-year career as a general contractor specializing in New York City co-ops and condominiums. As Director of Approvals and Construction Administration, Kent has the opportunity to employ his diverse skill set, working closely with owners, contractors, managing agents co-op boards and the rest of the DFA team to make sure our projects run smoothly. He’s proud of his work developing DFA’s proprietary systems to track the many inter-related strands that constitute the labyrinthine approval process. Kent moved to New York after receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, and in addition to his work in the construction and architecture fields, has charted a course as an independent artist.

Zoe Settle, Director of Design Support Services

Zoe brings a dozen years of experience in the design world to her role heading interior design services at DFA. Previously she was the Home Editor at Town & Country and freelance writer covering interiors and travel. She was introduced to DFA by Dan’s wife, Darcy, after a friendship forged in the early morning hours at the Hearst gym. Zoe now happily utilizes her longstanding relationships with craftsmen, companies and vendors to help create custom interiors for each client. A proud native of Manhattan, she serves on the board of Nightingale, her alma mater, teaches barre classes at Exhale, and maintains an active presence in the design scene.

Quincy Darbyshire, Design Support Services

Quincy joined DFA in 2016. She grew up in Pelham, New York and graduated from the University of Virginia in 2015. She received her BA in Studio Art with a focus in photography. She also earned a second degree in American Studies, with a concentration in popular and visual culture, which gave her an appreciation for architectural history. Quincy brings her lifelong love for interiors and furnishings to her role with design support services at DFA. In her free time, she enjoys going to flea markets and working on her Spanish.

James Schriebl, CXO

“We don’t know what Jamie does at DFA, but everything seems to run better when he’s here.” Jamie is always here.

Internships, The University of Virgina and Cornell University

DFA is proud to be a part of both the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture and Cornell University Architecture Art and Planning internship programs.
The University of Virginia School of Architecture externship program coordinates undergraduate students studying Architecture with professional sponsors for a short period of learning through practice. During the externship, students can participate in projects; work on design drawings, models, or proposals. Students especially appreciate participating in meetings, site visits, and meeting associates working in different roles within the field.
Cornell University Architecture Art and Planning’s program in New York City (AAP NYC) offers AAP students a unique opportunity to live and study in one of the most vital urban centers in the world, as well as participating in a semester-long internship with a NYC architecture firm. Enriched by field trips and social and professional networking opportunities, the semester in New York City plays a key role in a Cornell education.